Responding to the House of Lords report on the long term sustainability of the NHS, UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “The committee is right to say the NHS should be funded by the taxpayer and remain free at the point of delivery.
“This is a damning but sadly accurate analysis of the state of the NHS. The health service needs an urgent cash injection to make up for inadequate funding over the last 10 years.
“Years of pay restraint have led to low morale. But hospitals must be able to reward staff properly to recruit and retain employees.
“It’s time the government put the health and welfare of the nation before short-term political gain.”
Media contacts:
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk